Review of The Frozen Ground (2013) by Andrew J — 26 Dec 2013

A frustrating predicta-fest that doesn't even let its cast get off their feet- The Frozen Ground could have made for an example of how a standard crime thriller can rise beyond the crop but sadly it just becomes another addition to the mountains of passable 'lets hunt serial killers' films.

There's nothing spectacularly wrong this film, there's just nothing right either. Even from the premise it's obvious where this film's main issue lies- do we really need it? What does this story really offer us? And, while it's dedicated to the victims, does it really mean much at all?

I think the answer is no- there is no real reason for this film and it shows in every scene of it. It's filled with clichés that are literally just thrown in there for no reason- they don't even come into the storyline later. Two weeks to retirement and a dead sister, the same age as one of the protagonists are just two examples but there are more.

The script functions at keeping a relatively fast pace and aside from the odd moment, it's not so bad as to be painful to watch but it's also lifeless and dull and as monotonous as it comes. The film's structure is pointlessly fragmented in a basic sense with important scenes being cut in with run-of-the-mill stuff, completely cutting us off from engaging with the characters. The story falters with basic explanations at times with the audience being expected to believe that someone under police surveillance in a hospital could just get up and leave or that every member of the police force, aside form the protagonist and his small group, are totally out to avoid the course of justice.

The worst thing about this film is its refusal to allow for any development of the characters- I've just watched it and I don't know if Cusak did a good job as a serial killer because it barely feels like I was acquainted with the character- this is a crime thriller and the cop and bad guy barely get any screen time together. (I WANTED A DRAWN-OUT CON AIR REUINION, OKAY!?).

Hudgen's portrayal of a troubled prostitute .is filled with scenes of her taking whatever drugs were, I assume, randomly available in props on that day and I don't have any idea about how her character feels other than , 'sad'. Cage's character Is also too filled with clichés to have any real depth to him either and so I don't even know if Cage was good here- though his reuse of outfits from previous movies (I counted three In this film) totally has to stop! I can tell you one thing though- 50 Cent as a 70s pimp was NOT a good call for this film.

No one gave a bad performance here (70s pimp aside) but the writing doesn't give anyone the chance to give a good one either. Things finally start to heat up with Cusak's character but it's the final proper scene of the film and it far from makes up for everything that came before it. Frozen ground indeed...

It's fine visually, though I don't think it was particularly well-shot, and it does a fair job of capturing a cold and murky Alaska but the film's tone is far too heavy. Constant dialogues and portrayals of gruesome events and real-life murders that never do anything aside from depress us by reminding us that Cusak's character is based on a real person. I fail to see how the film trying to profit from their suffering helps the victims but that's a separate issue.

Dean Norris plays a cop here (go figure) and as a side-character he gives a solid performance like everyone else but in this film, everyone is a side character and the audience ends up feeling like a tired bystander by the end of it all. This film should have taken some tips from Breaking Bad and given Norris (and THE MAIN CHARACTERS) a chance to actually connect with us, beyond exploiting our most basic oppositions to the horrid crimes committed by the killer on show here.